Tacoma Museum of Glass

Tacoma Museum of Glass

What!?! Take my kids in a museum full of glass? Obviously this outing is for the older kids or a child who can take the responsibility of not touching the sculptures. But the museum seems to encourage families and children in the museum. They even hold field trips, so if your children are properly supervised and warned, they should be fine.

The Seattle area boasts one of the greatest concentrations of glass artists in the United States, and this museum shows off their works. Dale Chihuly, one of the most famous Seattle artists, is often featured here. Check with the museum at museumofglass.org to see what exhibits are showing when you go.

An artist in the Hot Shop

My favorite part of the museum was the Hot Shop, a large amphitheater where glass artists and their teams create their sculptures right in front of you. When we went, we were able to see an artist and his team create part of a sculpture that will sit outside the museum.

An enormous glass sculpture outside the museum.

The museum also holds a monthly contest for kids called the Kids Design Glass program. Children under the age of 12 can send in a drawing of what they would like to see created by the glass team. If chosen, the winning child and their family will be invited to the museum to see two of their creation made—one for the museum, and one for the child to keep!

The Tacoma Museum of Glass also holds a Family Day every second Saturday of each month (the next one would be Saturday, February 14) with activities for kids and adults scattered throughout the museum.

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday in the Winter and 7 days a week in the Summer. Check here for their hours and admissions. Visit the museum for free on the third Thursday of each month from 5–8pm.

Find directions to the museum here.